Cold War International History Project
Virtual Archive 2.0

East German Uprising

Conversations between Joseph V. Stalin and SED leadership
April 01 1952 - The first discussion between the delegation of the SED leadership and I. V. Stalin in Moscow. Pieck, Grotewohl, and Ulbricht inform Stalin of the situation in East Germany, the situation in the SED, and ask for economic help.
 
Conversation between Joseph V. Stalin and SED leadership
April 07 1952 - The second conversation between Stalin and the SED leadership during their trip to Moscow in April 1952. Stalin discusses the political and military situation in East Germany and asks about the status of economic development in the GDR. The SED delegation asks Stalin to approve the transfer of raw materials to East Germany.
 
Notes by Wilhelm Pieck on the discussion with Stalin
April 07 1952 - Wilhelm Pieck's notes on the final discussion with Joseph Stalin regarding the defense of East Germany, the situation in the East German country side, the plight of the engineers, other issues.
 
CPSU CC Resolution Approving the Deployment of Border Guards along the Eastern Border of the GDR
January 02 1953 - CPSU CC Resolution Approving the Deployment of Border Guards along the Eastern Border of the GDR
 
Draft Instructions for General Vasilii Chuikov and Vladimir Semyonov regarding GDR Control of Borders
March 18 1953 - Draft instructions of the Soviet leadership to its representatives in East Germany, advising that the SED requests for East German control of the border with West Germany are "unacceptable and grossly simplistic."
 
Memorandum from Ivan Turginov, “On the Western Powers’ Policy regarding the German Question”
April 18 1953 - Ivan Turginov reports on the policies of the Western powers on the German Question. Special emphasis is given to the puplic opinion in western countries with regard to Western and Soviet policies towards occupied Germany.
 
Memorandum on the German Question, from Georgii Pushkin and Mikhail Gribanov to Vyacheslav Molotov
April 18 1953 - Memorandum summarizing the state of discussions between the Soviet Union and the Western powers on various issues regarding Germany, including political, economic and unification issues.
 
Soviet Foreign Ministry Memorandum, “Regarding Further Measures of the Soviet Government on the German Question”
April 28 1953 - Memorandum on further issues regarding the German Question. The memorandum discusses further actions to be taken by the Soviet leadership in order to respond to developments in the Western controlled sectors of Germany and to increase Soviet influence with the German people.
 
Memorandum from Vladimir Semyonov to Vyacheslav Molotov Evaluating the Prospects for a Successful Resolution of the German Question
May 02 1953 - Memorandum to Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov on German reunification. The memorandum reviews the developments following the East German proposal of an "all German" conference and the Soviet proposal for a German peace treaty.
 
Memorandum from Lavrentiy Beria to the CPSU CC Presidium regarding Mass Defections from the GDR, 6 May 1953
May 06 1953 - Excerpt of a memorandum from Lavrentiy Beria to the CPSU CC Presidium regarding mass defections from the GDR. By early May 1953, declining conditions in the GDR finally started to draw the attention of the Soviet leadership. Lavrentiy Beria’s 6 May report to the CPSU Presidium is one of the first high-level documents to reflect concerns about the situation, in particular the increased flight of farmers and small businessmen brought about by the forced socialization policy. Beria may have been prompted to submit this report by the discussion of the German issue at a CPSU Presidium meeting on 5 May.
 
Report on Disturbances at the Tobacco Depot in Plovdiv, Bulgaria
May 07 1953 - Report on the disturbances at the Plovdiv Tabacco depot on 4 May 1953 following job cuts at the plant.
 
USSR Foreign Ministry Draft Memorandum, “On Further Soviet Government Measures Pertaining to the German Question”
May 08 1953 - Memorandum from the Soviet Foreign Affairs Ministry on Soviet foreign policy options with regard to the German Question. The memorandum looks at the effects on Soviet policy toward the western powers in the context of the Postdam conference and at the future state of the Soviet-East German relations.
 
Memorandum from the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs to Vladimir Semyonov, “On the Question of Preventing the Defection of Inhabitants from the GDR to West Germany”
May 15 1953 -
 
Memorandum from General Vasilii Chuikov, Pavel Yudin, and Ivan Il’ichev to Georgii Malenkov Critically Assessing the Situation in the GDR
May 18 1953 -
 
Cable from Ambassador Charles Bohlen to John Foster Dulles regarding Transfer of Soviet Control in East Germany to Soviet High Commissioner Vladimir Semyonov
May 29 1953 -
 
USSR Council of Ministers Order “On Measures to Improve the Health of the Political Situation in the GDR”
June 02 1953 - Council of Ministers of the USSR Order to improve the political and economic situation in GDR
 
Otto Grotewohl’s Notes on Meetings between East German and Soviet Leaders in Moscow
June 02 1953 - Consulations between Soviet and GDR leaders to improve the economic situation in GDR
 
SED CC Politburo Minutes Discussing Moscow’s Directives for the New Course
June 06 1953 - Self-critical attitude of the Politburo, organizational reform of Politburo and Secretariat policy toward labor methods
 
Transcript of Conversations between the Soviet Leadership and a Hungarian Workers’ Party Delegation in Moscow
June 13 1953 -
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov in Berlin to N.A. Bulganin (3)
June 17 1953 - The demonstrations in Berlin and several other cities had been stopped. Grechko and Tarasow came to the conclusion that "the provocation was prepared in advance, organized, and directed from Western sectors of Berlin." The losses of the strikers in the whole territory of the GDR had been: 84 people killed and wounded, 700 men arrested.
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov to N.A. Bulganin, 9:30p.m.
June 17 1953 - Soviet forces continued to restore order in Berlin and other cities and towns of the German Democratic Republic. The following numbers of people took part in the demonstrations: up to 15,000 in Magdeburg, up to 1,500 in Brandenburg, up to 1,000 in Oranienburg and Werder, up to 1,000 in Jena, 1,000 in Gera, up to 1,000 in Soemmerda, up to 10,000 in Dresden, up to 2,000 in Leipzig, 20,000 in Goerlitz. According to Soviet data, by 9:00. p.m., Moscow time, 50 people were killed or wounded in Magdeburg during the restoration of order. Three Germans were killed and 17 wounded in Leipzig. There have been no losses on the Soviet forces' side.
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov in Berlin to N.A. Bulganin, 6:30 p.m.
June 17 1953 - In the Soviets' view the situation in Berlin was improving as the principal gorvernment buildings were safe and were guarded by Soviet forces. Martial law has been declared in Magdeburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Halle, Goerlitz, and Brandenburg.
 
Situation Report from Vladimir Semyonov and Andrei Grechko to Vyacheslav Molotov and Nikolai Bulganin (2)
June 17 1953 - The current state of protests in East Germany, the number of people on strike, the presence of American soldiers and Soviet measures to dispel the protesters.
 
Situation Report from Vladimir Semyonov and Andrei Grechko to Vyacheslav Molotov and Nikolai Bulganin (1), 17 June 1953, 7:26 a.m. Moscow Time (5:26 a.m. CET)
June 17 1953 - Vladimir Semyonov and Andrei Grechko were reporting on the situation in Berlin towards the close of 16 June.
 
Situation Report from Andrei Grechko and Nikolai Tarasov to Nikolai Bulganin, received 6:30 p.m. Moscow Time (4:30 CET)
June 17 1953 - Grechko and Tarasov describe how Soviet forces took back control over the situation in East Berlin and several other GDR cities in the afternoon of 17 June 1953.
 
Report from V. Sokolovskii and L. Govorov in Berlin to N.A. Bulganin
June 17 1953 - V. Sokolovskii and L. Govorov summarized the events taking place in East Berlin and the GDR on 17 June 1953.
 
Secret Radio Telegram from Vladimir Semyonov Providing Situation Report to Vyacheslav Molotov and Nikolai Bulganin
June 17 1953 - Semyonov gave an account of the happenings on the morning of 17 June 1953 in East Berlin and the GDR emphasizing that the most serious situation was in the city of Goerlitz on the German-Polish border where some 30,000 destroyed SED offices, the prison, and the buildings of the security service and district committee.
 
Cable from Czechoslovak Mission in Berlin to Vaclav David (1)
June 17 1953 - The Czechoslovak Mission in Berlin described the proceeding of the demonstrations in East Berlin on 17 June 17.
 
Report from V. Semenov and A. Grechko in Berlin to V. Molotov and N.A. Bulganin
June 17 1953 - Semenov and Grechko described the beginning of the demonstrations on the morning of 17 June 1953. They considered there was a possibility that the participants of a solidarity demonstration announced in West Berlin attempted to cross to East Berlin which might increase the danger.
 
Report from V. Semenov and A. Grechko (Berlin-Karlshorst) to V. Molotov and N. Bulgannin
June 17 1953 - The report is about the situation in Berlin towards the close of 16 June. The initial reason for the construction workers protesting was the raising of the output quotas in the Berlin construction industry.
 
Cable from the Czechoslovak Mission in Berlin to Foreign Minister Vaclav David, 4:30 p.m.
June 17 1953 - Flash Cable from the Czechoslovak Mission in Berlin to the Czechoslovak Foreign Minister reporting on the situation in East Germany following the popular uprising. The cable reports workers asking for the formation of a new government and free elections. The cable also reports sporadic clashes between the demonstrators and the East German security forces and Soviet forces.
 
Cable from Vladimir Semyonov and Marshal Vasilii Sokolovskii to Vyacheslav Molotov and Nikolai Bulganin Reporting on the Situation in East Berlin, as of 11:00 p.m. CET
June 17 1953 - Vladimir Semyonov and Marshal Vasilii Sokolovskii report to the Soviet leadership on the developing situation in East Germany following the popular uprising. The cable informs that order has been fully restored and that 700 people have been arrested in connection with the uprising.
 
Telephonogram from Vladimir Semyonov and Marshal Vasilii Sokolovskii to Vyacheslav Molotov and Nikolai Bulganin Reporting on the Situation in East Berlin, as of 11:00 p.m. CET
June 17 1953 - Cable to the Soviet leadership describing the situation in East Berlin after the imposition of the curfew. The cable reports that at least 700 people have been arrested in East Germany, 300 of which were in the Soviet sector of Berlin. East German police and Soviet troops have taken control of the border of East Berlin to prevent "provocateur elements" from entering the Soviet sector.
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov to N.A. Bulganin (3), 18 June 1953, 2:30 p.m.
June 18 1953 - The authors state that Berlin was calm, but there were a few demonstrations in some smaller GDR cities. The authors referred to military intelligence information according to which the US 7th Army and the 12th Air Force Army were put on alert in the US zone at 5.30 a.m. on June 18. But the alert state for the 7th Army was canceled after three hours.
 
Secret Telephone Report by V. Semenov and V. Sokolovski in Berlin to V. M. Molotov, 18 June 1953, Morning
June 18 1953 - On June 18th the Soviets began actively to include German organizations and SED party organizations to restore order in Berlin. At 9:30 a.m. at the Brandenburg gates, employees of the people's police of the GDR were fired upon from the direction of West Berlin. The people's police fired several shots in return, as a result of which one West Berlin policeman was killed.
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov in Berlin to N.A. Bulganin (1), 18 June 1953, Midnight
June 18 1953 - Cable reporting that "Berlin is calm", but "there are still some strikes and rallies within some plants in the German Democratic Republic."
 
Report from Andrei Grechko and A. Tarasov in Berlin to Nikolai Bulganin
June 18 1953 -
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov to N.A. Bulganin (2)
June 18 1953 -
 
Polish Ministry of State Security Action Memoranda, to Regional Branches Outlining Steps to be Taken to Limit Spillover of Events in East Germany
June 19 1953 - The Polish Ministry of State Security orders all district heads to take measures to limit spill-over effects of the East German uprising. Regional offices are instructed to increase surveillance of ethnic Germans and “revisionist” elements.
 
Secret Telephonogram from V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii to V. Molotov and N. Bulganin (2), 19 June 1953, 7:50 p.m.
June 19 1953 - V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii stated that in Berlin all enterprises were working at normal capacity and life in Berlin was proceeding normally.
 
Telephonogram from V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii in Berlin to V. Molotov and N. Bulganin (1), 19 June 1953, 1:20 a.m (Moscow Time)
June 19 1953 - V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii recognized that the state and party organs of the GDR were taking measures to restore the normal organization of work at all enterprises in East Berlin.
 
Telephonogram from V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii in Berlin to V. Molotov and N.A. Bulganin (3), 19 June 1953, 5:35 p.m.
June 19 1953 - Semenov and Sokolovskii described the alleged capture of infiltrating parachutists in the night of 17 June.
 
Telephonogram from V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii in Berlin to V. Molotov and N.A. Bulganin, 19 June 1953 (2)
June 19 1953 - According to V. Semenev and V. Sokolovskii there were small remnants of strikes in some comparatively minor points throughout the Republic. In the provinces of the GDR there was also evidence of the dispatch of American agents from West Berlin and West Germany.
 
Report, I. Fadeikin to V.D. Sokolovskii
June 19 1953 - Fadeikin reported that the situation in the GDR was improving. As brought to light by then, the strikes were a protest against the 10% rise in output quotas that the GDR government had declared at some GDR industry enterprises on May 29-30. They continued on June 6-7. The construction workers on Stalinallee in Berlin started saying that they did not agree with the new output quotas and would declare a strike if needed. The central leadership of the Free German Trade Union [League] and the SED CC knew about such feelings and opinions among working class people on June 15. Fadeikin accused the GDR leadership not to have undertaken timely preventive measures. Fadeikin concluded from secret service and official information that some SED members took an active part in the delays and strikes.
 
CPCz Information Bulletin on Czechoslovak Reaction to the Events in East Germany
June 19 1953 -
 
Secret Telephonogram from V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii in Berlin to V. Molotov and N.A. Bulganin (1), 19 June 1953, Midnight
June 19 1953 - According to Semenov and Sokolovskii the mood of the populace had improved. They reported that the commandants of the Western sectors of Berlin had issued a decree to the effect that any demonstrations in West Berlin could only take place after receiving permission from the commandants. The need for this decree was based on the situation which has arisen and on the preservation of security and order.
 
Report from A. Grechko and Tarasov to N.A. Bulganin, 20 June 1953, 11:40 a.m.
June 20 1953 - Grechko and Bulganin stated that enterprises in Berlin had resumed their routine operations since the morning of 20 June. But they also admitted that there were still some strike movements.
 
Special Report No. 2 of the WUBP in Wroclaw (Poland), Regarding Spillover from Events in Berlin
June 20 1953 -
 
Telephonogram from V. Semenov and V. Sokolovskii in Berlin to V. Molotov and N.A. Bulganin, 20 June 1953, 5:50 p.m.
June 20 1953 - V. Semenov and V. Sokolovsk stated that, although the the situation in the GDR and in East Berlin is generally peaceful, there are still some local strike movements in several areas.
 
Memorandum from Karl Schirdewan to First Secretaries of the District Leadership of the SED
June 21 1953 -
 
Secret “Report on the Events in Berlin on 16 and 17 June 1953,” from P. Naumov, correspondent in Berlin to D.T. Shelipov, Editor-in-Chief of Pravda, 22 June 1953
June 22 1953 - Naumov in his report gave a very detailed account of the events in Berlin on 16 and 17 June 1953.
 
The Report to the SED Central Committee
June 22 1953 - The authors blamed "hostile forces", with direct support and under the leadership of American agencies and the peoples' enemy and the warmongers in Bonn, for having organized an attempt for a "fascist coup" in the GDR in the period from 16 June 1953 to 22 June 1953. The authors admitted, however, that the party had failed to mobilize broad segments of the working class for a unified and offensive appearance against the provocation and for suppression of the coup on the 17th and 18th.
 
CPSU Central Committee Memorandum to the SED Central Committee, Enclosure to Minutes No. 40 from the SED Politburo Session of 21 June 1953
June 23 1953 -
 
Special Report No. 4 of the WUBP in Wroclaw (Poland), Noting the Spread of Rumors about East Germany
June 23 1953 -
 
CIA Information Report “Continuing Resistance Among Workers”
June 24 1953 -
 
Report from Vasilii Sokolovskii, Vladimir Semyonov, and Pavel Yudin “On the Events of 17-19 June 1953 in Berlin and the GDR and Certain Conclusions from these Events”
June 24 1953 - The authors accuse "fascist and other organizations, working primarily under the leadership of American intelligence," to be responsible for the uprisings in Berlin and other GDR cities. The authors stated that "Adenauer intended to exploit this disenchantment to strengthen his position before the upcoming Bundestag elections in August-September of this year." . The CC SED is accused having not paid attention to short-lived strikes in early June. According to the authors "the events in Berlin on 16-19 June were completely unexpected to the leadership of GDR". Finally the authors drew a few conclusions and gave some recommendations "in order to correct the situation in the GDR."
 
Secret Memorandum from Secretary of the Moscow Committee N. Mikhailov to Nikita Khrushchev
June 26 1953 -
 
Report from Lieutenant-General F. Fedenko to Lieutenant-General N.O. Pavlovskii
June 27 1953 - Fedenko stated that the strikes and demonstrations in the GDR from 17 to 19 June 1953 had been prepared beforehand by the so-called Center of Strike Movement located in West Berlin.
 
Telephonogram from Miroshnichenko and Lunkov to Semenov, [early July 1953]
July 01 1953 - On 17 June, the Soviet military had stopped all cross-sector travel, causing widespread resentment among many East Germans who worked in the Western sectors or crossed them on their way to work. Under pressure from the East German population in the days following the uprising, SED leaders and local Soviet High Commission officials urged Semenov, then in Moscow for the Extraordinary CPSU Plenum, to normalize the traffic situation in Berlin. Semenov, following Molotov’s orders, informed Ulbricht that the question of free movement across the sector border “must be decided by the [German] comrades themselves, taking the situation into account.” On 7 July, tram and metro traffic between the sectors in Berlin was restored.
 
Letter from Lavrentiy Beria to Georgii Malenkov Reflecting on the Events of Spring 1953 (Excerpt)
July 01 1953 - Letter from Beria to Malenkov discussing the events which took place in East Germany in the spring of 1953. Beria also discusses his actions after Stalin's death, asking for the forgiveness of the CPSU CC Politburo.
 
Czechoslovak Communist Party Information Bulletin
July 01 1953 -
 
Protocol #1 of the Meeting of the Vyshinskii Commission for Drafting a Proposal to the USSR Council of Ministers Pertaining to the GDR
July 02 1953 -
 
Transcript of the CPSU CC Plenum Meetings Regarding Beria’s Views on the German Question
July 02 1953 -
 
Telephonogram from Miroshnichenko and Lun’kov to Soviet High Commissioner V. Semyonov Regarding Inter-zone Travel
July 04 1953 - Telegram describing discontent of the German population living in East Berlin at the disruption caused by the restrictions imposed on intra-zones travel as a result of the events of 17 June 1953. The telegram recommends actions to be taken to improve the movement of people across the Berlin border.
 
Telephonogram from Soviet High Commission Officials Miroshnichenko and Lun'kov to High Commisioner V. Semenov
July 04 1953 - Miroshnichenko and Lun'kov consider it expedient to ease travel for commuters by improving public transport.
 
Memorandum from Vladimir Semyonov and Pavel Yudin to Vyacheslav Molotov Regarding Inter-Zonal Movement in Berlin
July 04 1953 -
 
O. Grotewohl's Handwritten Notes on the SED CC Politburo Meeting
July 08 1953 - In this meeting on July 8 1953 SED Politburo discussed changes in the internal structure of the party organization.
 
Report from Maj.-Gen. Sergei Dengin to Vladimir Semyonov, “On the Situation in the Soviet Sector of Berlin”
July 08 1953 -
 
Memorandum from Georgii Pushkin to Andrei Vyshinskii Regarding Proposals Made by Semyonov, Sokolovskii, and Yudin
July 09 1953 -
 
Note from S. Kruglov to Malenkov with an Accompanying Communication from the Executives of the MIA USSR P. Fedetov and I. Fadeikin
July 09 1953 - Kruglov presented Malenkov with a communication from the head of the First Chief Directorate of the MIA USSR, Com. Fedotov, and the Representative of the MIA USSR in Germany, Com. Fadeikin, about some facts characterizing the situation in the Politburo of the CC SED. Within the SED leadership there are severe arguments about how to solve the GDR's economic crisis.
 
Report of the Chief of WUBP in Olsztyn (Poland) for June 1953
July 09 1953 -
 
Memorandum of Telephone Conversation between John Foster Dulles and Allen W. Dulles
July 10 1953 -
 
CIA Special Supplement to the Current Intelligence Weekly
July 10 1953 -
 
CIA Information Report, “Berlin as of 5.00 p.m., 9 July 1953”
July 10 1953 -
 
CIA Information Report, “Plans for Strikes in East Germany”
July 13 1953 -
 
Letter from President Eisenhower to Field Marshall Montgomery of Alamein
July 14 1953 -
 
Memorandum from S. Kruglov to G.M. Malenkov
July 15 1953 - West German "fascist" organizations were accused of preparing and carrying out the provocations of June 17 1953 in Berlin and in other cities
 
Memorandum from S. Kruglov to G.M. Malenkov
July 15 1953 - Kruglov reports on the arrest of organizers during the East German protests.
 
Intelligence Advisory Committee, Special Estimate (SE-47), “Probable Effect Of Recent Developments In Eastern Germany On Soviet Policy With Respect To Germany”
July 21 1953 -
 
Letter from James B. Conant to J.F. Dulles
July 28 1953 -
 
Materials for a Meeting of the Organizational Secretariat of the CPCz CC, with Attached Report on Party Activities in Plzen in connection with the events of 1 June 1953
July 31 1953 -
 
Resolution of the CPSU Central Committee (Draft)
July 31 1953 - Draft resolution before the CPSU CC, seeking approval for actions required to strengthen the Soviet position in Germany and increasing the counteraction of the aggressive plans of the Anglo-American bloc in Europe.
 
CIA Information Report, “Unrest over Food Packages,”
August 07 1953 -
 
Conclusion from Reports of the SED District Leadership from 7 August 1953
August 08 1953 -
 
Cable from James B. Conant to John Foster Dulles
August 08 1953 -
 
Memorandum from Leonid Brezhnev to Nikita Khrushchev
August 20 1953 -
 
Radio Free Europe Report on the Strikes in Plzen during Early June 1953
September 08 1953 - Account of a 31-year-old locksmith who took part in the protests in Plzen.
 
CIA Information Report, “Aftermath of the Riots”
September 10 1953 -
 
Draft Instructions to Chuikov and Semyonov
September 25 1953 - In March 1953, Moscow had declined Ulbricht’s request for tightening up the sector border in Berlin, then the major loophole in the SED leadership’s efforts to seal off East Germany. In the aftermath of the demonstrations and unrest in Berlin, the SED leadership apparently tried to reintroduce the idea of increased “border security” in Berlin. Eager to salvage whatever was left of its political position as a champion of German unity, Moscow again held such measures as politically “disadvantageous” and “unacceptable.” Certainly, the Kremlin was also aware of the continued widespread resentment among the Berlin and GDR population which made any more restrictive measures a risky undertaking. Instead, the Soviets urged the SED to increase its “fight against hostile elements” in West Berlin—an issue that would become more and more the focus of Soviet attitude on Berlin.
 
CIA Information Report, “Estimated Damage as a Result of the June 16/17 Mass Demonstrations”
October 16 1953 -
 
Report of the Polish Diplomatic Mission in Berlin for the Period 21 June - 31 August 1953
09/1953 -
 

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